Highlight the error. If there is no error, mark E.
1. Despite the home team's best effort, the visitor'splayed hard and won by forty points.
2. The new carpenters on the TV design show, who are very knowledgeable in their fields, use many different power tools. No Errors
Practice #2:
Complete the sentences by choosing the best answers.
1. The singer's lyrics, which prompted much analysis, turned out to be nothing more than randomly assembled phrases from commercials the singer likes.
a. sinister b. reasonable c. cryptic d. divergent e. divulging
2. The needle of the pressure gauge indicated that an explosion was .
a. formidable b. ostensible c. imminent d. irreconcilable e. diametrical
Practice #3
Read the passage and chose the best answers to the questions that follow it.
(1) America is dependent on foreign oil, a fact that dismays many Americans. (2) Hybrid cars, most o which run on gasoline or diesel and electricity, can help America reduce its dependence on foreign oil. (3) They also reduce pollution. (4) Energy sources like electricity and solar power cut down on the harmful emissions that contribute to allergy-aggravating smog. (5) Lobbyists say that eventually hybrid cars will be just as affordable as gasoline-powered and diesel-powered vehicles. (6) However, the auto industry contends that the cost of research and development of hybrids will drive the price of the product higher than consumers will accept.
1. Which of the following is true about the author of the passage? a. The author is probably sympathetic to the auto industry. b. The author is probably in favor of the use of hybrids.
c. The author is probably annoyed by lobbyists.
d. The author has probably participated in studies on the effectiveness of hybrid cars.
e. The author probably knows someone who purchased a hybrid.
2. The passage implies that many Americans
a. dislike the fact that the U.S. depends on foreign electricity and solar power
b. dislike the fact that U.S. is independent of foreign countries c. appreciate the fact that lobbyists are working hard to reduce smog nationwide d. disapprove of America's reliance on foreign oil
e. have test-driven hybrids
Practice #4
Complete the sentences by choosing the best answers.
1. The _ workers never held a job for more than a few weeks.
a. inseparable
b. transcendent c. transient
d. forthcoming
e. indispensable
2. The poor cousin tiptoes around the house with a meek, air. a. simplistic
b. superior c. subliminal
d. subservient
e. subject
Practice #5
Complete the answer the most improves the underlined portion of the original sentence. If the original sentence does not have an error, choose (A).
1. The herd of zebras move across the plains of the Serengeti with speed and grace.
a. move b. moves c. moved
d. moving
e. was moving
2. There once was a Roman emperor, who, did nothing but sit around all day long and feed the pigeons.
a. emperor, who,
b. emperor, whom,
c. emperor, that,
d. emperor, which, e. emperor who
Practice #6
Read the passage and choose the best answers to the questions that follow it.
(1) It seems that every out-of-work celebrity ends up hosting a talk show. (2) Unfortunately, talk show careers usually last only a few months. (3) Usually these celebrity talk shows book other underemployed celebrities to come on as guests. (4) Talk shows often amount to nothing more than bad publicity for the hosts. (5) Therefore, as they say in show business, any publicity (even bad publicity) is good publicity.
1. Which of the following revisions does the paragraph most need?
(a) Add the word "typically" to sentences 4 and 5.
(b) Delete the word "usually" from several sentences.
(c) Place the last sentence of the paragraph at the beginning of the paragraph.
(d) Change the tense of the verbs to past tense.
(e) Change the tense of the verbs to future tense.
2. In the context of the paragraph, which of the following revisions does sentence 5 most need?
(a) Replace "Therefore" with "Whatever" (b) Replace "Therefore" with "Still."
(c) Replace "is" with "was."
(d) Add a colon after "business."
(e) Offset "Therefore" with quotation marks.
Practice #7
Complete the sentences by choosing the best answers.
1. Frank couldn't tell whether the columnist was being , or whether she was serious about her unusual opinions.
a. arcane
b. defunct
c. prolific
d. expository
e. sarcastic
2. The company brought together its best engineers to _ on a plan that would _ the performance of many of its products. a. collaborate...enhance
b. perforate...improve
c. exasperate...deviate
d. exacerbate...confound
e. enervate...advance
Practice #8
(1) Nearly all scientists agree that global warming is melting the world's largest glacial structures and causing water levels to rise. (2) Researchers estimate that the earth's water levels, particularly, in seas and oceans, rise a fraction of an inch each year. (3) If the ice caps continue to melt, the gulf stream could be affected.
The term "glacial structures" most likely refers to which of the following?
a. frozen tundra b. polar ice caps
c. mountain ice and snow
d. intercontinental glaciers
e. frozen lakes
Practice #9
Choose the answer that most improves the underlined portion of the original sentence. If the original sentence does not have an error, choose (a).
1. Once the expiration date on the milk has passed, it would be prudent to dispose of the old milk. a. would be prudent to dispose
b. would have been prudent to have disposed
c. would be, prudent to dispose,
d. was prudent to dispose
e. might would be prudent to dispose
2. Jenny's piggy bank, fell from the shelf and shattered into a thousand tiny pieces.
a. bank, fell
b. bank, falls
c. bank falls
d. bank that fell e. bank fell
Practice #10
If there is an error, choose the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct.
1. The local veterinarian said he won't never do any medical work on an animal larger than a small horse or small cow because he didn't specialize in that type of medicine in college. No error.
2. Carol bought a brand new blanket for the baby, which wasblue. No error.
Practice #11
Read the passage and choose the best answers to the questions that follow it.
(1) There are many ways to figure out whether you will be successful at a particular endeavor. (2) One way to research the outcomes of other similar endeavors. (3) This could help you determine your odds of success. (4) Therefore, statistics are of only marginal assistance without smart analysis.
1. In the context of the paragraph, which of the following is the best revision for sentence 2?
a. One way to research the outcomes of other similar endeavors is:
b. One way, is to research the outcomes, of other similar endeavors. c. One way is to research the outcomes of other similar endeavors.
d. Some ways are to research the outcomes of other similar endeavors.
e. One way perhaps to research the outcomes of other similar endeavors.
2. Which of the following revisions does sentence 4 most need?
a. Replace "Therefore" with "Perhaps." b. Replace "Therefore" with "However." c. Offset "without smart analysis" with commas.
d. Replace "are" with "were."
e. Remove the comma after "Therefore."
Practice #12
Read the passage and choose the best answer that follows it.
(1) If I could travel back in time and found any company or industry, I would choose the bottled water industry. (2) This industry has a brilliant strategy: take water that costs a few pennies, bottle it in plastic containers that cost a few pennies, and then sell it for about a dollar a bottle. (3) That is pure genius. (4) The best part is that many bottled waters are actually dirtier than tap water. (5) But because of clever marketing campaigns, most people think all bottled water comes from the purest mountain streams.
1. Which of the following is the main idea of the paragraph?
a. Consumers are so naive that industries often take advantage of them. b. The bottled water industry has a brilliant business plan.
c. The author would like to buy stock in bottled water companies.
d. The bottled water industry should be prosecuted.
e. The bottled water that most people enjoy is exactly the same as tape water in both taste and content.
Practice #13
Complete the sentences by choosing the best answers.
1. The witness's statement originally seemed devastating for the defense, but things looked up when she on Thursday. a. recanted b. recounted
c. reminisced
d. reminded
e. revisited
2. Despite the manythat greet each new novel he publishes, Mr. King remains remarkably.
a. awards...pompous b. accolades...humble
c. admonitions...pessimistic
d. honors...haughty
e. criticisms...defeated
Practice #14
If there is an error, choose the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct.
1. Besswill mailthe package to her cousin in Atlanta fourteen long days before the fragile package arrived. No Error.
2. Video games have gotten more and more realistic every year; when I was a kid, for example, the most high-tech game isPac-Man. No Error.
Practice #15
Read the passage and choose the best answer to the question that follows it.
(1) The local library has requested a fifteen percent increase in its budget for next year. (2) Without the additional funds, according to a library spokesperson, the library will not be able to expand its collection of literature. (3) Many people say that before the budget is approved, the community should be allowed to vote on the use of the funds. (4) Others oppose the increase because they argue that the growth of the local library will affect local merchants who sell books. (5) If local merchants lose sales, they say, the town will lose tax revenues, and everyone will suffer.
1. Based on the information in the passage, which of the following conclusions can be drawn?
a. Local business owners do not support the library. b. The library wants to buy more books.
c. The fifteen percent budgetary increase is relatively small.
d. The fifteen percent budgetary increase is relatively high.
e. The city's budget could be devastated because of a loss of revenue from local bookstores.
Practice #16
Complete the sentences by choosing the best answers.
1. After listening to the prisoner's passionate pleas, Judge Jim decided to grant the man _ _.
a. platitude b. vengeance
c. vulnerability
d. viscosity e. clemency
2. The _ clues were discovered when the famous detective conducted a _ investigation.
a. unmistakable...enthusiastic
b. mysterious...meticulous
c. shrouded...thorough d. hidden...thorough
e. faint...painstaking
Practice #17
Choose the answer the most improves the bolded portion of the original sentence.
1. She thought she had bought temporary dye; therefore, her hair was bright orange for three months, so it seemed she's made a mistake.
a. ; therefore, her hair
b. ; and, her hair
c. , and, her hair
d. ; thus, her hair e. , but her hair
2. Dogs are man's best friend, except when the dog scratches the sofa or soils the carpet.
a. Dogs are man's best friend
b. Dogs are men's best friend
c. dogs are man's best friends d. Dogs were man's best friend
e. A dog is man's best friend
Practice #18
Read the passage and choose the best answer to the question that follows it.
(1) Meteorological technology has progressed in leaps and bounds in the last half-century. (2) Meteorologists today have access to instruments that scientists of days past could only dream of. (3) They use information gathered by satellites, airplanes, and high-tech gadgets and gizmos placed around the world. (4) In recent years, the technology of meteorology has improved, the science of meteorology has evolved. but one thing remains the same.
1. Based on the rest of the paragraph, which of the following is the best choice for the final sentence of the paragraph?
a. Therefore, meteorology must be the most precise science of the last half-century.
b. The ability to predict the weather must also be improving. c. The weather is still unpredictable.
d. The weather has changed over the last half-century, too, so the science of meteorology must continue to change.
e. Weather forecasts should return to school to earn their degrees in meteorology.
Practice #1:
Highlight the error. If there is no error, mark E.1. Despite the home team's best effort, the visitor's played hard and won by forty points.
2. The new carpenters on the TV design show, who are very knowledgeable in their fields, use many different power tools. No Errors
Practice #2:
Complete the sentences by choosing the best answers.1. The singer's lyrics, which prompted much analysis, turned out to be nothing more than randomly assembled phrases from commercials the singer likes.
a. sinister b. reasonable c. cryptic d. divergent e. divulging
2. The needle of the pressure gauge indicated that an explosion was .
a. formidable b. ostensible c. imminent d. irreconcilable e. diametrical
Practice #3
Read the passage and chose the best answers to the questions that follow it.(1) America is dependent on foreign oil, a fact that dismays many Americans. (2) Hybrid cars, most o which run on gasoline or diesel and electricity, can help America reduce its dependence on foreign oil. (3) They also reduce pollution. (4) Energy sources like electricity and solar power cut down on the harmful emissions that contribute to allergy-aggravating smog. (5) Lobbyists say that eventually hybrid cars will be just as affordable as gasoline-powered and diesel-powered vehicles. (6) However, the auto industry contends that the cost of research and development of hybrids will drive the price of the product higher than consumers will accept.
1. Which of the following is true about the author of the passage?
a. The author is probably sympathetic to the auto industry.
b. The author is probably in favor of the use of hybrids.
c. The author is probably annoyed by lobbyists.
d. The author has probably participated in studies on the effectiveness of hybrid cars.
e. The author probably knows someone who purchased a hybrid.
2. The passage implies that many Americans
a. dislike the fact that the U.S. depends on foreign electricity and solar power
b. dislike the fact that U.S. is independent of foreign countries
c. appreciate the fact that lobbyists are working hard to reduce smog nationwide
d. disapprove of America's reliance on foreign oil
e. have test-driven hybrids
Practice #4
Complete the sentences by choosing the best answers.1. The _ workers never held a job for more than a few weeks.
a. inseparable
b. transcendent
c. transient
d. forthcoming
e. indispensable
2. The poor cousin tiptoes around the house with a meek, air.
a. simplistic
b. superior
c. subliminal
d. subservient
e. subject
Practice #5
Complete the answer the most improves the underlined portion of the original sentence. If the original sentence does not have an error, choose (A).1. The herd of zebras move across the plains of the Serengeti with speed and grace.
a. move
b. moves
c. moved
d. moving
e. was moving
2. There once was a Roman emperor, who, did nothing but sit around all day long and feed the pigeons.
a. emperor, who,
b. emperor, whom,
c. emperor, that,
d. emperor, which,
e. emperor who
Practice #6
Read the passage and choose the best answers to the questions that follow it.(1) It seems that every out-of-work celebrity ends up hosting a talk show. (2) Unfortunately, talk show careers usually last only a few months. (3) Usually these celebrity talk shows book other underemployed celebrities to come on as guests. (4) Talk shows often amount to nothing more than bad publicity for the hosts. (5) Therefore, as they say in show business, any publicity (even bad publicity) is good publicity.
1. Which of the following revisions does the paragraph most need?
(a) Add the word "typically" to sentences 4 and 5.
(b) Delete the word "usually" from several sentences.
(c) Place the last sentence of the paragraph at the beginning of the paragraph.
(d) Change the tense of the verbs to past tense.
(e) Change the tense of the verbs to future tense.
2. In the context of the paragraph, which of the following revisions does sentence 5 most need?
(a) Replace "Therefore" with "Whatever"
(b) Replace "Therefore" with "Still."
(c) Replace "is" with "was."
(d) Add a colon after "business."
(e) Offset "Therefore" with quotation marks.
Practice #7
Complete the sentences by choosing the best answers.1. Frank couldn't tell whether the columnist was being , or whether she was serious about her unusual opinions.
a. arcane
b. defunct
c. prolific
d. expository
e. sarcastic
2. The company brought together its best engineers to _ on a plan that would _ the performance of many of its products.
a. collaborate...enhance
b. perforate...improve
c. exasperate...deviate
d. exacerbate...confound
e. enervate...advance
Practice #8
(1) Nearly all scientists agree that global warming is melting the world's largest glacial structures and causing water levels to rise. (2) Researchers estimate that the earth's water levels, particularly, in seas and oceans, rise a fraction of an inch each year. (3) If the ice caps continue to melt, the gulf stream could be affected.The term "glacial structures" most likely refers to which of the following?
a. frozen tundra
b. polar ice caps
c. mountain ice and snow
d. intercontinental glaciers
e. frozen lakes
Practice #9
Choose the answer that most improves the underlined portion of the original sentence. If the original sentence does not have an error, choose (a).1. Once the expiration date on the milk has passed, it would be prudent to dispose of the old milk.
a. would be prudent to dispose
b. would have been prudent to have disposed
c. would be, prudent to dispose,
d. was prudent to dispose
e. might would be prudent to dispose
2. Jenny's piggy bank, fell from the shelf and shattered into a thousand tiny pieces.
a. bank, fell
b. bank, falls
c. bank falls
d. bank that fell
e. bank fell
Practice #10
If there is an error, choose the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct.1. The local veterinarian said he won't never do any medical work on an animal larger than a small horse or small cow because he didn't specialize in that type of medicine in college. No error.
2. Carol bought a brand new blanket for the baby, which was blue. No error.
Practice #11
Read the passage and choose the best answers to the questions that follow it.(1) There are many ways to figure out whether you will be successful at a particular endeavor. (2) One way to research the outcomes of other similar endeavors. (3) This could help you determine your odds of success. (4) Therefore, statistics are of only marginal assistance without smart analysis.
1. In the context of the paragraph, which of the following is the best revision for sentence 2?
a. One way to research the outcomes of other similar endeavors is:
b. One way, is to research the outcomes, of other similar endeavors.
c. One way is to research the outcomes of other similar endeavors.
d. Some ways are to research the outcomes of other similar endeavors.
e. One way perhaps to research the outcomes of other similar endeavors.
2. Which of the following revisions does sentence 4 most need?
a. Replace "Therefore" with "Perhaps."
b. Replace "Therefore" with "However."
c. Offset "without smart analysis" with commas.
d. Replace "are" with "were."
e. Remove the comma after "Therefore."
Practice #12
Read the passage and choose the best answer that follows it.(1) If I could travel back in time and found any company or industry, I would choose the bottled water industry. (2) This industry has a brilliant strategy: take water that costs a few pennies, bottle it in plastic containers that cost a few pennies, and then sell it for about a dollar a bottle. (3) That is pure genius. (4) The best part is that many bottled waters are actually dirtier than tap water. (5) But because of clever marketing campaigns, most people think all bottled water comes from the purest mountain streams.
1. Which of the following is the main idea of the paragraph?
a. Consumers are so naive that industries often take advantage of them.
b. The bottled water industry has a brilliant business plan.
c. The author would like to buy stock in bottled water companies.
d. The bottled water industry should be prosecuted.
e. The bottled water that most people enjoy is exactly the same as tape water in both taste and content.
Practice #13
Complete the sentences by choosing the best answers.1. The witness's statement originally seemed devastating for the defense, but things looked up when she on Thursday.
a. recanted
b. recounted
c. reminisced
d. reminded
e. revisited
2. Despite the many that greet each new novel he publishes, Mr. King remains remarkably .
a. awards...pompous
b. accolades...humble
c. admonitions...pessimistic
d. honors...haughty
e. criticisms...defeated
Practice #14
If there is an error, choose the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct.1. Bess will mail the package to her cousin in Atlanta fourteen long days before the fragile package arrived. No Error.
2. Video games have gotten more and more realistic every year; when I was a kid, for example, the most high-tech game is Pac-Man. No Error.
Practice #15
Read the passage and choose the best answer to the question that follows it.(1) The local library has requested a fifteen percent increase in its budget for next year. (2) Without the additional funds, according to a library spokesperson, the library will not be able to expand its collection of literature. (3) Many people say that before the budget is approved, the community should be allowed to vote on the use of the funds. (4) Others oppose the increase because they argue that the growth of the local library will affect local merchants who sell books. (5) If local merchants lose sales, they say, the town will lose tax revenues, and everyone will suffer.
1. Based on the information in the passage, which of the following conclusions can be drawn?
a. Local business owners do not support the library.
b. The library wants to buy more books.
c. The fifteen percent budgetary increase is relatively small.
d. The fifteen percent budgetary increase is relatively high.
e. The city's budget could be devastated because of a loss of revenue from local bookstores.
Practice #16
Complete the sentences by choosing the best answers.1. After listening to the prisoner's passionate pleas, Judge Jim decided to grant the man _ _.
a. platitude
b. vengeance
c. vulnerability
d. viscosity
e. clemency
2. The _ clues were discovered when the famous detective conducted a _ investigation.
a. unmistakable...enthusiastic
b. mysterious...meticulous
c. shrouded...thorough
d. hidden...thorough
e. faint...painstaking
Practice #17
Choose the answer the most improves the bolded portion of the original sentence.1. She thought she had bought temporary dye; therefore, her hair was bright orange for three months, so it seemed she's made a mistake.
a. ; therefore, her hair
b. ; and, her hair
c. , and, her hair
d. ; thus, her hair
e. , but her hair
2. Dogs are man's best friend, except when the dog scratches the sofa or soils the carpet.
a. Dogs are man's best friend
b. Dogs are men's best friend
c. dogs are man's best friends
d. Dogs were man's best friend
e. A dog is man's best friend
Practice #18
Read the passage and choose the best answer to the question that follows it.(1) Meteorological technology has progressed in leaps and bounds in the last half-century. (2) Meteorologists today have access to instruments that scientists of days past could only dream of. (3) They use information gathered by satellites, airplanes, and high-tech gadgets and gizmos placed around the world. (4) In recent years, the technology of meteorology has improved, the science of meteorology has evolved. but one thing remains the same.
1. Based on the rest of the paragraph, which of the following is the best choice for the final sentence of the paragraph?
a. Therefore, meteorology must be the most precise science of the last half-century.
b. The ability to predict the weather must also be improving.
c. The weather is still unpredictable.
d. The weather has changed over the last half-century, too, so the science of meteorology must continue to change.
e. Weather forecasts should return to school to earn their degrees in meteorology.